Have you ever wanted to tell fellow fans when you’ve read a great new book or comic, played an awesome new game, or seen an exhilarating movie? The Dragon Awards are your chance to share your opinions with, and see the recommendations of, tens of thousands of other fans everywhere! During the award nomination period, we will regularly send lists and information about your most popular choices.

Every fan anywhere is welcome and encouraged to both nominate their choices and then vote again on the final ballot! There is no qualification for voting – no convention fees or other memberships are needed. The only requirement is that you register your email address with every nomination or vote. This ensures that all fan’s votes count equally.

Now, you’re curious how it works? Here’s a quick rundown –

There are two administrative periods, nominations and voting:

1. Nominations will open in the fourth quarter of every year.  The nomination period will last until July 19th.  You don’t have to nominate in all eleven categories. Simply nominate in the categories you wish. But choose wisely, you only get one nomination per category, and it cannot be changed later.  Your nominations for each category are tabulated and reviewed for eligibility, and the top nominees in each category are advanced to the final ballot.
2. Ballots are first issued in early August and through the month as more people register to vote. Individual ballots are mailed to each voter by our ballot provider SurveyMonkey.  Voting will end at Midnight on the Saturday of Dragon Con. You must not be “opt-out” with SurveyMonkey to receive a ballot.  You can opt-in with SurveyMonkey here.  The winners will be announced at Dragon Con, always held over the Labor Day weekend in Atlanta!

Start thinking about your “best” because nominations will open in November.

1. Best Science Fiction Novel
   What is the best and most outstanding science fiction novel you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?  Qualifying is any book that is around 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th, containing and based upon scientific or science and engineering premises or technology.
2. Best Fantasy Novel (Including Paranormal)
   What is the best and most outstanding novel featuring magic or mythic creatures that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?  Qualifying is any book that is around 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th, containing and based upon magic, gods, demons, ghosts, paranormal events, or mythic creatures.
3. Best Young Adult/Middle Grade Novel
   What is the best and most outstanding novel for young adults, ages 12 to 18, that you have read in the last year, one that you would recommend for all teenagers to read?  Qualifying is any book written for readers ages 12 to 18 that is around 40,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th, containing significant science fiction or fantasy elements.
4. Best Alternate History Novel
   What is the best and most outstanding novel whose story takes place in a world that did not happen, but could have been, so is an alternative to the world as we know it that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?  Qualifying is any book that is around 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th, whose story is set in a variant future or past universe.
5. Best Horror Novel
   What is the best and most outstanding novel whose story is based upon horrific events that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?  Qualifying book featuring and primarily based upon one or more horrific elements that is around 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th.
6. Best Illustrative Book Cover
   What is the best illustrative book cover for a qualifying work of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Alternate History, or Horror Novel first released in print or electronic format during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th.
7. Best Comic Book or Graphic Novel
   What is the best comic, comic book series, or graphic novel you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read? Qualifying is any publication that contains illustrated story in traditional comic book format (non-animated) that is at least 20 pages long with a consistent set of characters, premises, and series title that appears at least four times per year for a comic book and at least one volume for a graphic novel and has been first released in print or electronic format during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th.
8. Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series
   What is the best TV series you have watched and enjoyed over the last year? Nominate a series as a whole, not a single episode.  Qualifying is any series of media (video and sound) presentations of which no less than three related episodes have appeared during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th, which featuring continuing cast or characters, plot elements, and series name presented in any medium.
9. Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie
   What is the best theatrical, TV, or movie you have watched and enjoyed over the last year?  Qualifying is any single presentation of a story featuring fantasy or science fiction elements no shorter than 74 minutes run time that is not part of any continuing series (movie sequels can be included here) which was first shown on television, in theaters, or over the internet during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th.
10. Best Digital Game
    What is the best, absolute most fun to play and look at new digital game using a predominantly electronic piece of equipment that you played in the last year? Please indicate both the name of the game and the game company. The game can be solo, multi-player, or online and may or may not require an internet connection which was released during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th.
11. Best Tabletop Game
    What is the best predominantly non-electronic game that you have played with or would recommend to your friends? This can be any type of game or game rules set. Qualifying is any predominantly non-electronic game for any number of players whose central gameplay element is using physical pieces which was first released during the last half of a year, July 1st and later, and the first half of a year, January 1st to June 30th.